Bushing for use in a vehicle suspension
A bushing includes a body that is cylindrical; a bore through the body; a channel extending along an inner face of the bore; and a groove on a substantially planar surface of the bushing and including a first end intersecting with an end of the channel and a second end extending radially from the bore.
1. A bushing, comprising:
a body that is cylindrical;
a bore through the body;
a channel extending along an inner face of the bore; and
a groove on a substantially planar surface of the bushing and including a first end intersecting with an end of the channel and a second end extending radially from the bore.
2. The bushing of claim 1 , further comprising a flange extending from the body and including the substantially planar surface.
3. The bushing of claim 1 , wherein the channel extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the bore.
4. The bushing of claim 1 , wherein the channel extends along a curved path.
5. The bushing of claim 1 , wherein the channel extends along an entire length of the bushing.
6. The bushing of claim 1 , wherein the bushing includes a plastic or elastomeric.
7. The bushing of claim 1 , wherein the inner face is knurled.
8. The bushing of claim 2 , wherein the flange includes an outer rim having a diameter greater than a diameter of the body.
9. The bushing of claim 8 , wherein the second end extends through the outer rim.
10. The bushing of claim 1 , wherein the groove has a width of between about 2 mm and about 3.5 mm and a depth of between about 1 mm and about 2 mm.
11. The bushing of claim 1 , wherein the groove is a plurality of sets of grooves spaced rotationally symmetric around the substantially planar surface.
12. An apparatus, comprising:
a coupling portion; and
a first bushing according to claim 1 located in the coupling portion.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the coupling portion is defined as a sleeve.
14. The apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising a grease fitting.
15. The apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising a sleeve located in the bore, the sleeve being configured to receive a shaft or a bolt.
16. The apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising a second bushing according to claim 1 located in the coupling portion.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 , further comprising a space between the first bushing and the second bushing configured to allow a passage of grease through the channel and to the groove of each of the first bushing and the second bushing.
18. The apparatus of claim 15 , further comprising a bolt configured to be located through the sleeve.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the bolt is configured to couple the apparatus to a structure such that the substantially planar surface is in contact with a surface of the structure.
20. The apparatus of claim 15 , further comprising a space between the inner face and the sleeve to facilitate rotation of the coupling portion and the bushing around the sleeve.